Economic Analysis of Khejri and Gamari Seedlings Raised in Different Growing Media and Light Intensities in the South Eastern Region of Rajasthan

Suruchi Kumari; S.B.S Pandey

doi:10.36808/if/2026/v152i5/170901

Economic Analysis of Khejri and Gamari Seedlings Raised in Different Growing Media and Light Intensities in the South Eastern Region of Rajasthan

Authors

Suruchi Kumari Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, Rajasthan-326023
S.B.S Pandey Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, Rajasthan-326023

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2026/v152i5/170901

Keywords:

Prosopis cineraria, Gmelina arborea, Seedling production, Growing media, Light intensity, B: C ratio.

Abstract

Astudy was conducted at the nursery block in the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar (24°53' N-Latitude and 76°14' E Longitude) in the South-Eastern region of Rajasthan during June 2023-March 2024. Two different experiments were conducted to evaluate the economic viability of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce) and Gamari (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) seedlings raised in various compositions of growth media (soil, sand and vermicompost/ Farm Yard Manure (FYM)) and different light intensity (100% full sunlight (L₀), 50% light intensity (L₁) and 25% light intensity (L₂)) in the southeastern region of Rajasthan. Among 45 different treatment combinations of Prosopis cineraria made of growing media constituting soil, sand and vermicompost in 15 different ratios and three light-intensity levels, L₁P₀ [(Soil) in 50% light intensity] obtained maximum B: C ratio (1.83) of followed by L₁P₁₁ [Soil: Sand: Vermicompost (1:2:1) in 50% light intensity]. Out of 36 treatment combinations of Gmelina arborea, made of growing media mixtures constituting soil, sand and FYM in 12 different ratios and three levels of light intensities, the maximum value of B: C ratio (1.80) was obtained in L₁G₀ followed by L₁G₇[(Soil: Sand: FYM (2:1:1) in 50% light intensity]. The result obtained from the study assures profitability in both species in the shortest period, however, the cost incurred from seedling production is mainly affected by the survival of the seedling, growth media, growing conditions and seedling vigourness.

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